MBS commission says goodbye to Paula Whittington

By Jon Becker for the Daily News

Published 3:30 am, Saturday, May 3, 2014

The City of Midland is not the only local organization that is going to miss the talents and expertise of Paula Whittington, who last week retired after a 27-year career with the municipality. While city officials bade farewell to their assistant city manager of human resources, the MBS International Airport Commission publicly expressed their gratitude to Whittington as well by passing a resolution of appreciation at a recent meeting.

Whittington, as a Midland administrative representative on the commission from 2010-2014, brought a lot to the table during her tenure, officials said. She served on the airport’s personnel committee and helped the board navigate through labor and contract issues. Her insights and experience was particularly valuable because MBS doesn’t have a human resources department and officials leaned on Whittington’s experience in this area, said Tom Adams, City of Midland representative on the airport board.

“That’s why Paula is going to be missed,” he said. “Other than our attorney, the airport doesn’t have a personnel department or anybody else who deals with unions and contracts. Paula was very helpful with contracts and employee benefits.”

Airport Manager Jeff Nagel agreed.

“She was a great member of the personnel committee and her service to MBS will be missed. She represented the city well and was very accessible for airport staff.”

Nagel said Whittington left her mark in many areas, including health care, collective bargaining and pension benefits.

“She brought a lot of expertise to the board at a time when we really needed it,” Adams said. “There are a lot changes occurring in municipalities with the elimination of defined benefits and modifications to health care and other things. Paula, as the City of Midland’s human resources director, was very helpful in these areas for MBS.”

The city has not yet named a replacement for Whittington on the airport commission.